About Me

I believe that healing begins with feeling truly seen, heard, and understood.

In a world that often asks us to keep pushing, doing, and holding everything together, it's easy to lose touch with our own needs and wellbeing. Many people come to my clinic feeling tired, stretched thin, or concerned about symptoms that aren't improving as they would like. Often, they have spent years caring for everyone else while putting themselves last.

My intention is to offer something different.

I have created a practice built on deep listening, unhurried care, and the wisdom of Chinese medicine. A space where you can slow down, take a breath, and reconnect with yourself while receiving treatment that supports your body's natural capacity to heal.

For nearly twenty years, I have been helping people improve their health through acupuncture. Alongside my acupuncture training, I have a background in psychology and am a certified coach. This allows me to bring a broader understanding of the connection between physical symptoms, emotional wellbeing, stress, and the patterns we carry through life.

Acupuncture is a powerful tool for restoring balance and supporting the body's natural healing processes. For me, its greatest strength lies in treating the whole person sitting in front of me - their story, experiences, challenges, and strengths.

My work is guided by two lifelong interests: a fascination with human wellbeing and a deep respect for the wisdom of Chinese medicine. Both continue to teach me that healing is not something we force. Rather, it is something we create the conditions for. The body possesses an extraordinary intelligence and an innate capacity to restore balance when given the right support.

This philosophy is at the heart of every treatment I offer.

Whether you're seeking support for fertility, hormonal health, stress, anxiety, chronic pain, digestive issues, or simply a greater sense of vitality and wellbeing, my aim is the same: to help you feel more connected to yourself, more at ease in your body, and better equipped to navigate life's challenges.

Above all, I want my clinic to feel like a place where you don't have to hold everything together - a place where you can simply arrive as you are and be supported.

Why I became an Acupuncturist

My love of Chinese medicine was sparked at a young age by my uncle, who was in the first wave of Western acupuncturists to start practising in the 70s. His passion for this system of medicine was infectious. He would describe himself as a ‘detective’, piecing together a patient’s story to get to the core of their problems.

Even then, the idea of needing to understand the root of someone’s illness or unhappiness rather than just treating their symptoms made sense to me.

I worked in London for ten years in two busy clinics, treating all aspects of women’s health - from conception and pregnancy support, working alongside fertility clinics, providing post-natal care, helping manage the daily stressors of family life, right through to perimenopausal and menopause treatments.

My practice grew alongside my own family, and after our third son was born, it felt like the right time to leave the city and follow our dream of raising free-range children in the Devon countryside.

Why People Choose to Work With Me

A Whole-Person Approach
I look beyond symptoms to understand the wider picture of your health, considering your physical symptoms, emotional well-being, lifestyle, and life experiences.

Nearly 20 Years of Clinical Experience
With almost two decades in practice, I've supported hundreds of patients with women's health concerns, fertility, stress, anxiety, digestive issues, chronic pain, and overall well-being.

Time to Be Heard
Many people tell me that one of the most valuable parts of treatment is simply having the space to slow down and talk. I take time to listen carefully and understand what is happening for you.

The Integration of Acupuncture and Coaching
My background in psychology and coaching allows me to understand how emotional patterns, stress, and life challenges can influence health, bringing an additional depth to my work.

A Calm and Compassionate Space
I aim to create an environment where you feel safe, supported, and at ease - because feeling relaxed and cared for is an important part of the healing process itself.

A Special Interest in Women's Health and Fertility
I have undertaken extensive postgraduate training in fertility, reproductive health, hormonal balance, pregnancy support, and women's wellbeing throughout all stages of life.

“Jo is incredibly kind, caring and supportive and her acupuncture treatments are of the absolute highest standard.

The regular treatments have been enormously beneficial and have supported me through a very difficult period of poor health.

I always look forward to my treatments and after a session I always feel so much better.”

“I can't recommend Jo Ridgway highly enough.

Jo is gentle, empathetic and professional. I felt listened to and supported, and how she described what was going on in my body from a holistic point of view was thorough, clear and incredibly helpful.

My acupuncture treatments with Jo not only helped my back pain and stomach problems, but also left me feeling relaxed, nourished and energised, made my skin glow, and have massively improved my sleep.”

“I learned so much about myself during my coaching with Jo. She helped me to better understand my behaviour patterns in a way that I didn't have insight into before.

It has helped me to create lasting change and greater compassion for myself when I’m trying to make positive changes in my life.

I would highly recommend Jo as a maturation coach.”

My Experience

Psychology Degree 2000 — 2003

Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Social Psychology from the University of Sussex.

Teaching in Japan 2003 — 2005

Living and teaching in Japan as part of the JET program set up by the Japanese Government.

Acupuncture Training 2005 — 2009

Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Oriental Medicine - Acupuncture from The International College of International Medicine.

Coaching 2022 — 2023

Professional Academy of Maturation Coaching Training.

Post-Graduate training

Further Studies in Obstetric Acupuncture with Debra Betts.
Diploma in Paediatric Acupuncture with Julian Scott.
Gynaecology, fertility and IVF with Jani White.
Gynaecology, neurology, needle technique and health maintenance with Dr Li.
Face diagnosis with Lilian Bridges.
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture with Virginia Doran.
Constitutional Facial Acupuncture Renewal with Mary Elizabeth Wakefield.
Exchange programme attending lectures and acupuncture hospitals at the Shanghai International Acupuncture Training Centre in China.
Japanese Acupuncture with Mirian Fixler.

How much does Acupuncture treatment cost?

Adults

Your first treatment, which lasts 75 minutes, costs £80.

Follow-up treatments last around 45 minutes and cost £60 each.

Children under 16

First treatment - £70

Follow-ups - £50

If you’d like to book an appointment or want to know more about acupuncture and whether it might suit you, please do get in touch - any questions are very welcome!

I am a fully insured member of the British Acupuncture Council, the largest body of professional acupuncturists in the UK, and I abide by its strict rules of Safe Practice and Code of Professional Conduct.

Contact Me

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